A rich, chocolate indulgence with a little bit of fuel. These protein bars without nuts are more like dessert than a healthy snack. Made with six ingredients and covered in a dairy-free chocolate ganache these protein bars will become a staple in your weekly meal prep.
Sick and tired of the same old, super dry protein bars? If you’re a chocolate lover like myself you want high-quality fuel but you’re not ready to give up any delicious, sweet treats.
With these nut-free protein bars, you can have the best of both worlds.
The protein bars themselves have a mousse-like texture and they’re covered with a thick chocolate coating for true double chocolate flavor.
As a Certified Nutrition Coach, I find that these gluten-free protein bars are the best way to curb a craving while still hitting your protein goals (these dairy-free Twix protein bars are pretty awesome too).
Before you begin, learn everything you need to know about making homemade protein bars.
Why You Love This Recipe
Allergy-friendly – these protein bars are made without nuts, dairy, gluten, or soy. so they're perfect for food allergies.
Easy to make – the hardest part of this recipe is coating the bars in chocolate ganache and waiting for them to set.
Minimal ingredients – the bars are made with gluten-free pantry staples most of us have on hand.
A rich treat – they taste more like dessert than they do a healthy snack but they're still high in protein. Learn more about the benefits of a high protein diet and why you want to amp it up!
Ingredients You Need
Most protein bars use sunflower seed butter and gluten-free certified oats for their base (kind of like in these chocolate-topped protein bars). However, these bars have a different twist.
Vegan protein powder: you can use either vanilla or chocolate protein powder for the nut-free protein bars. However, the kind you choose will affect the texture and flavor. For best results, use a pea protein blend.
Coconut flour: when I was coaching figure competitors we used to call this their best friend. All the feel of rich indulgence but without all the carbs. Learn more about coconut flour versus almond flour and know in this recipe it helps hold the bars together.
Honey: used in both the protein bars and the chocolate ganache, honey helps to bind it all and harden the chocolate coating.
Coconut milk: you want to use the coconut milk from a can and only the thick, white, creamy part for the recipe (drain the water).
Cacao powder: gives the bars a double chocolate flavor you can reap the benefits of it! Learn more about cacao powder versus cocoa powder.
Dairy free milk: any non-dairy milk will work. We use homemade hemp milk the most.
Chocolate ganache: you need this dairy-free chocolate ganache to coat the protein bars and hold them together.
How To Make Them
Step 1: In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients except the chocolate ganache and mix well until everything looks sticky.
Step 2: Portion the protein bar mixture into a plastic-wrapped loaf pan and smooth it out before placing it in the freezer.
Step 3: Make the chocolate ganache by melting the ingredients and mixing until combined.
Step 4: Remove the nut-free protein bars from the freezer and slice them into portions.
Step 5: Dip each protein bar into the chocolate ganache.
Step 6: return them to the freezer for at least thirty minutes.
Expert Tips
The texture of the bars will change depending on your protein. If your protein powder absorbs a lot and you notice the protein mixture is a little dry and crumbly, you'll want to add another tablespoon or two of coconut milk to the mixture.
The protein bars don’t hold together once thawed without the chocolate ganache on top so you can’t skip it.
You can top the nut-free protein bars with dairy-free caramel sauce, more chocolate ganache, or sea salt to make them even more like dessert.
Store the protein bars in the fridge for up to one week.
Freeze the bars in an airtight container in pieces separated with parchment paper. To enjoy them, let them thaw in the fridge for four or more hours.
Make sure that if you have a full tree nut allergy you purchase ingredients specifically from a nut-free facility.
Fast, crave-worthy snacks that hit your protein goals (without tracking or extra cooking time).
Choosing A Protein Powder
Each protein powder is unique in its breakdown which means it absorbs and tastes differently (learn more about choosing a protein powder for your goals).
Know that pea protein powder will absorb a ton, brown rice protein tends to leave a bit of a chalky taste and whey protein isolate won't hold the bars together well. So, opt for a blended protein as much as possible.
Personally, I made these nut-free protein bars with Botanica protein.
Botanica Perfect Protein is a unique blend of quinoa, coconut, and brown rice. This makes it dairy, gluten, and soy-free, organic, vegan, vegetarian, and non-GMO.
Botanica won the Alive awards in 2017 for both Consumers' & Retailers' choice for functional foods.
It’s a great-tasting protein and more similar to whey in that it doesn’t absorb or fluff like many other protein powders.
Plus, the classic flavors of Botanica are delicious.
Other High Protein Recipes
- Carrot mug cake
- Pumpkin overnight oats
- Espresso overnight oats
- Peanut butter and jam protein balls
- High protein snack recipes
- Chocolate fudge protein balls
Double Chocolate Protein Bars Without Nuts
Ingredients
For The Bars
- ⅔ cup protein powder botanica, pea
- 3 tablespoons coconut flour
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 5 tablespoons coconut milk thick white
- 3 tablespoons cacao powder
- 1.5 tablespoons hemp milk
For The Ganache
- ¼ cup Full-fat coconut milk
- ⅓ cup Mini chocolate chips
- 1 tbs Honey
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients except the chocolate ganache and mix well until everything looks sticky.
- Portion the protein bar mixture into a plastic-wrapped loaf pan and smooth it out to about an inch thick before placing it in the freezer.
- Make the chocolate ganache by melting the ingredients and mixing until combined.
- Remove the nut-free protein bars from the freezer and slice them into portions.
- Dip each protein bar into the chocolate ganache and return them to the freezer for at least thirty minutes.
Notes
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Nutrition
Bobbi says
My family loved this!
Rosa says
These protein bars are amazing! I love the plant-based flavor, the blend of protein powder, coconut, and cacao. The ganache takes it to the next level. Guilt free so I'll be making this regularly.
fitasamamabear says
So happy you enjoy them! They're a favorite around here.
Shaye says
I'm obsessed with these protein bars. They're so deliciously chocolatey. Plus, they're nut-free, which is perfect for my allergies. Thank you for sharing this amazing recipe!
fitasamamabear says
Chocolate is a life staple!
Lily says
OMG I'm so obsessed with these right now. I look forward to eating one after my workout each day. I thought I liked a number of well-known brand name protein bars, but now that I've made these I don't even want to go back to buying protein bars because they're so inferior. I also feel really good knowing and seeing exactly what goes into them.
fitasamamabear says
I'm chocolate obsessed so I feel yah lol
Freja says
I just made these to bring along on a trip, but we ate them all. Haha. I'll just have to make a double batch now! They're incredible. Thanks so much!
fitasamamabear says
Haha story of my life.
Nicole says
This is an awesome recipe. They have the perfect balance of sweetness and the texture is so nice - not chalky at all! I'll be making these on a regular basis. Thanks!
fitasamamabear says
Aw yay! Thanks so much for giving them a go!
Sonia says
These protein bars are my new addiction. This was so easy to make and I really love the mousse-like texture it has, it's not overly sweet and was so satisfying with every bite. I'll be making more of this for next week's post-workout snacks.
fitasamamabear says
Haha my new addiction too!
Clara says
Yes please! These protein bars were fantastic. I have been watching the girls at work eat these protein balls. I want to jump on the healthy band wagon with them, but they are just so chalky tasting to me and I can't get them down. These bars don't have that texture at all and they are so delicious. I took some to work yesterday and everyone wanted the recipe!
fitasamamabear says
Can't go wrong with protein + chocolate!
Jenna says
Chocolatey goodness without the guilt! This is my first time trying can't wait to do more 🙂
fitasamamabear says
The best combo lol
Joni says
The mousse-like filling is rich and satisfying, such a perfect guilt-free snack.Thanks for sharing.
fitasamamabear says
Yay!
Ellie says
These were EPIC! The picture had me sold because they looked exactly like the ones I buy at the store. But I will say these tasted a million times better and I liked how relaxing it was to be in the kitchen making them. Side note, I did not use hemp milk, I used flax seed milk. Came out great! Will make these again!
fitasamamabear says
Ohh noted on the flax milk- thanks for that! Glad you lvoed them, they're soooo easy to eat lol